The Mystery of the Blue Train
A wealthy widow boards a luxurious train traveling from Paris to the south of France, accompanied by her young daughter and a mysterious stranger. The train is also carrying a valuable diamond necklace, which goes missing during the journey. A detective is called in to investigate the theft and murder that follows.
By Agatha Christie · First published 1928 · Genre: Mystery, Crime, Thriller · 36 chapters · 90,003 words
First lines
It was close on midnight when a man crossed the Place de la Concorde. In spite of the handsome fur coat which garbed his meagre form, there was something essentially weak and paltry about him.
A little man with a face like a rat. A man, one would say, who could never play a conspicuous part, or rise to prominence in any sphere. And yet, in leaping to such a conclusion, an onlooker would have been wrong. For this man, negligible and inconspicuous as he seemed, played a prominent part in the destiny of the world. In an Empire where rats ruled, he was the king of the rats.
What this Textopian page supports
The Mystery of the Blue Train is listed on Textopian as a novel by Agatha Christie, dated 1928 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Agatha Christie
- Date: 1928 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Mystery, Crime, Thriller, Detective Fiction, Adventure
- Length: 90,003 words
- Structure: 36 chapters, 3,248 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Mystery of the Blue Train?
- How does this novel by Agatha Christie fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Mystery first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha Christie
- Mystery At Lynden Sands by J. J. Connington
- Behind That Curtain by Earl Derr Biggers
- The Herapath Property by J. S. Fletcher
- The Champdoce Mystery by Emile Gaboriau
- The Avenger by Edgar Wallace
Genres
- Mystery — The plot revolves around a murder investigation, central to the genre.
- Crime — The narrative involves criminal activities and the pursuit of justice.
- Thriller — The story contains suspenseful elements that keep readers engaged.
- Detective Fiction — Features a detective solving the case, a hallmark of the genre.
Tags
Mystery · Thriller · Detective Fiction · Classic Whodunit · Train Journey · Murder Mystery · Female Protagonist · 1920s Setting · British Literature · Crime Fiction · Suspenseful Plot · Twists and Turns
Contents
- The Man with the White Hair
- M. Le Marquis
- Heart of Fire
- In Curzon Street
- A Useful Gentleman
- Mirelle
- Letters
- Lady Tamplin Writes a Letter
- An Offer Refused
- On the Blue Train
- Murder
- At the Villa Marguerite
- Van Aldin Gets a Telegram
- Ada Mason's Story
- The Comte De La Roche
- Poirot Discusses the Case
- An Aristocratic Gentleman
- Derek Lunches
- An Unexpected Visitor
- Katherine Makes a Friend
- At the Tennis
- M. Papopolous Breakfasts
- A New Theory
- Poirot Gives Advice
- Defiance
- A Warning
- Interview with Mirelle
- Poirot Plays the Squirrel
- A Letter from Home
- Miss Viner Gives Judgment
- Mr. Aarons Lunches
- Katherine and Poirot Compare Notes
- A New Theory
- The Blue Train Again
- Explanations
- By the Sea